Overview
EN ISO 23611-2:2024 - "Soil quality - Sampling of soil invertebrates - Part 2: Sampling and extraction of micro‑arthropods (Collembola and Acarina)" (CEN/ISO) specifies a standardized method for collecting, extracting and preserving soil micro‑arthropods (springtails and mites) from field soils. The document defines practical procedures used as a prerequisite for applying Collembola and Acarina as bio‑indicators of soil quality and habitat condition. Methods are applicable to most soil types, with stated exceptions for extreme climatic conditions (hard, frozen or flooded soils) and non‑soil matrices (e.g., tree trunks, plants, lichens).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Sampling principle: Use of a split corer to collect soil cores; immediate placement of cores in plastic tubes or bags for transport to the laboratory.
- Extraction methods: Rapid behavioural extraction (within a few days) using apparatus such as the MacFadyen extractor (heat/behavioural extraction).
- Alternative extraction options: Flotation methods (e.g., heptane flotation) for clay or loamy soils and Kempson extractor for litter samples are noted as acceptable alternatives where appropriate.
- Preservation and preparation: Procedures for sorting, preserving and preparing specimens for taxonomic identification are included, along with a note on alternative pre‑heating techniques for Collembola specimen preparation.
- Reporting units: Abundance data can be recalculated and reported per area (commonly per m²), per volume or per unit weight (commonly per kg).
- Scope limits: Applicability to most soils but exclusions for extreme conditions and non‑soil materials.
- Quality and reproducibility: Standardized sampling and extraction enable reliable comparisons across sites and studies for soil quality assessment and long‑term monitoring.
Applications and who uses it
- Environmental monitoring and bioindication: Use micro‑arthropod abundance and composition to assess soil health, pollution impacts and habitat quality.
- Soil ecology and research: Standardized sampling for ecological studies of decomposition, trophic interactions and biodiversity.
- Land management and forestry/agriculture: Evaluate effects of management practices on below‑ground communities.
- Consultancy and regulatory testing labs: Ensure reproducible sampling and extraction for compliance monitoring, impact assessment and baseline surveys.
- Key users: soil ecologists, environmental consultants, monitoring agencies, research laboratories, and land managers.
Related standards
- ISO 23611 series (other parts cover earthworms, enchytraeids, nematodes and macroinvertebrates)
- ISO 18400‑104 (guidance on sampling strategy and site investigation)
Keywords: EN ISO 23611-2:2024, soil quality, sampling of soil invertebrates, micro-arthropods, Collembola, Acarina, MacFadyen extractor, Kempson extractor, bio-indicators, soil sampling, extraction, preservation.